Golf game projector

ABSTRACT

A visual display system selectively operable to display, upon command, any one of a plurality of different bits of information. The exemplary embodiment is intended for use in an indoor golf game to display scenes representing perspective views of any one of a plurality of different locations on any one of a plurality of different holes on a golf course. The system also includes a ball spot projector for projecting a spot of light on the projected scene in a manner to simulate the trajectory of a golf ball in flight. The scene selection system is a digital servo system for economy and reliability and is operative to minimize film fading on frequently used scenes such as a scene depicting the view from the tee on a golf hole and is further operative to reduce fading of any particular scene due to prolonged exposure by automatically shifting to an advertising scene or the like when the scene selection has not been made after a predetermined time.

United States Patent 1191 Russell et al.

Apr. 9, 1974 Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince GOLF GAME PROJECTOR Assistanl Examiner-Steven L. Ste han I t kA.R sellS Lk; P [75] men ms gt g g g g i Attorney, Agent, or F zrm-Donalld S. Olexa; Sheldon 7 7 1 Anthony Gretzky Muskegon an L. Epstein; Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and of Mich. Mccmd [73] Assignee: Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, Ill. [57] ABSTRACT Filed: P 1970 A visual display system selectively operable to display, [2]] App} No: 69,768 upon command, any one of a plurality of different bits of 1nformat1on. The exemplary embodiment 15 intended for use in an indoor golf game to display [52] US. Cl 226/9, 226/33, 226/45, Scenes representing perspective views f any one f a 226/76, 226/108, 235/6l.ll E, 250/219 FR, plurality of different locations on any one of a plural- 250/219 353/26 ity of different holes on a golf course. The system also [51] f 23/12 Bh 25,10, 606k 7/14 includes a ball spot projector for projecting a spot of [58] held of Search 226/331 1081 light on the projected scene in a manner to simulate 1 3 340/1725 173 17 C; 250/219 the trajectory of a golf ball in flight. The scene selec- 219 219 219 DR; 353/26; 235/61/1 tion system is a digital servo system for economy and 1 E reliability and is operative to minimize film fading on frequently used scenes such as a scene depicting the Refelfences Clted view from the tee on a golf hole and is further opera- 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS tive to reduce fading of any particular scene due to 2,817,480 12 1957 Baldwin 235/6l.ll E P o g exposure y automatically shifting to an 3.596,253 7/1971 Ruth et a]. 340/1725 vertising scene or the like when the scene selection 3,700,320 10/1972 Brewer et a1. 353/26 has not been made after a predetermined time. 3,319,051 5/1967 Reriold 250/219 FR 6 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures 25% 766 32 23 /7 I 1 l V L 95 O 2 0 in j 1 (5:

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1. In an information retrieval system for selectively receiving any one of a plurality of items of information in any one of a plurality of groups of such items, the combination comprising: means defining a retrieval station at which a selected one of said items may be disposed to have the information contained therein retrieved; means for storing said plurality of items of information; means operatively associated with said storage means and said station for transporting bits of information between the same; first means operative to identify a particular group of items containing a selected item for disposition at said station; second means operative to identify the selected item for disposition at said station within said particular group of items; means for generating a pulse each time a group of items passes through said station; third means, including a bidirectional counter for receiving pulses from said pulse generating means, for identifying the group of items passing through the station; means responsive to said first and third means for operating said transport means to move said particular group of items toward the station whenever the group identifications from said first and third identification means are not identical; and means responsive to said second identifying means for operating said transport means to move said selected item within the particular group toward the station whenever the selected item is Not in the station and the particular group identification from said first and third identification means are identical.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said last named means comprises a second pulse generating means for generating a pulse each time an item passes through the station, and a fourth identifying means, including a bidirectional counter for receiving pulses from said second generating means, for identifying the item in the station.
 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said first and third identifying means is operative to cause the transport means to move the items through the station to the beginning of the particular group and said means responsive to said second identifying means is subsequently operable to then cause the transport means to move to the selected item within the particular group to the station; and further including means for causing said bidirectional counter to skip one count for one direction of movement of said items through said retrieval station.
 4. In an information retrieval system for selectively retrieving any one of a plurality of items of information in any one of a plurality of groups of such items, the combination comprising: means defining a retrieval station at which a selected one of said items may be disposed to have the information contained therein retrieved; means for storing said plurality of items of information; means operatively associated with said storage means and said station for transporting bits of information between the same; first means operative to identify a particular group of items containing a selected item for disposition at said station; second means operative to identify the selected item for disposition at said station within said particular group of items; means for generating a pulse each time a group of items passes through said station; third means, including a bidirectional counter for receiving pulses from said pulse generating means, for identifying the group of items passing through the station; means responsive to said first and third means for operating said transport means to move said particular group of items toward the station whenever the group identifications from said first and third identification means are not identical; and means responsive to said second identifying means for operating said transport means to move said selected item within the particular group toward the station whenever the selected item is not in the station and the particular group identification from said first and third identification means are identical, said last named means comprising a second pulse generating means for generating a pulse each time an item passes through the station, and a fourth identifying means, including a bidirectional counter for receiving pulses from said second generating means, for identifying the item in the station; said system being especially adapted for use with a strip-like medium bearing said items of information at separate locations thereon and having a code identification said transport means including a rotary element for positively engaging and moving the strip; said first pulse generating means including a photosensitive element adjacent said rotary element and a means for establishing a light path through the rotary element whereby said photosensitive element may sense the code indication on the strip; and said second pulse generating means including means responsive to movement of said rotary element for generating pulses.
 5. In an information retrieval system for selectively displaying any one of a plurality of frames of information on a film strip, having a predetermined number of sprocket holes per frame, the combination comprising: means defining a display station in which a selected one of said frames may be disposed for display of the information thereon; means for storing the film strip; means operatively associated with said storage means and said display station for transporting the film strip between the saMe; means for controlling said transport means to approximately position a selected frame in said display station; and means for accurately locating said selected frame within said display station including means for generating pulses in a number proportional to the number of sprocket holes per frame on the film strip, means for receiving the pulses and counting the same so that the count is indicative of the position of the frame within the display station, said receiving and counting means having a predetermined capacity proportional to the predetermined number of sprocket holes per frame and a minor fraction of the number of sprocket holes on the entire film strip, and means responsive to the existence of predetermined counts and operative only when said controlling means has approximately positioned a selected frame in said display station for causing the transport means to further move the selected frame within the display station until a sprocket count other than one of said predetermined sprocket counts is in existence to thereby signify accurate disposition of the selected frame within the display station.
 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said last named means further includes a mechanical positioning element operable to precisely locate the selected frame within the display station, and means responsive to the existence of a sprocket count other than one of said pretermined sprocket counts for actuating said mechanical positioning element. 